Bridge of Sighs - handmade silver-chemistry photograph

Wendy Stone makes photographs slowly on film and paper using remarkable cameras and silver-based photographic chemistry, processes and printing. Her cameras range from 60 to 130 years old and she uses roll film, sheet film, paper and even glass plates to create images.

This view of Oxford's Bridge of Sighs was taken with Wendy's Sanderson ‘Regular’ quarter-plate camera, which is over 120 years old. She says: "This ornate bridge, linking two parts of Hertford College, is often referred to as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ but no-one really knows why. It hardly resembles the similarly-named bridge from the prison in Venice, or any of the other bridges that share the name around the world.

"This corner of Oxford gets very busy, so I was glad to be able to make this long exposure before the crowds arrived. Focussing my camera through the ground glass was the first time I had truly appreciated the detailed carving in the stonework and the sharp edges that have worn away on Oxford’s older buildings."

This print is presented unframed, in a conservation-grade mount

Dimensions: Image 22x29cms, mount 40x50cms

Technical specifications:

- Sanderson quarter-plate camera
- Ilford FP4 quarter plate sheet film
- Film processing in Pyrocat HD
- Darkroom print made at Oxford Darkrooms

SHIPPING AND DISPATCH 

Orders take 1-3 working days to dispatch, and will generally be sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48. Greetings cards will be sent via second class post (2-5 working days).

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